So if I'm a renter there's no sense of 'curb appeal'. 

If you can come to the city to visit that helps but often, as a majority of properties are "curb offers only", buyers will come out for inspections after the offer is made and then go home and complete the rest of deal form there.

Read, read, read, and then decide what your priorities are (i.e. owning this house free and clear ASAP, or boosting other investment vehicles ASAP).

The shut off valve is older so plumber suggested having water company shut off the main water at the curb, replacing the shut off valve, then having water company turn water back on.

Start with the end value of the buildings or lots and work backwards.Next check with the city or county to determine if you can do what you want to do and what is required for all zoning approvals and the time frame,Ask if you have to install curb, gutter, sidewalks, street signs, street lighting or any other special requirements.Are there any specific street design requirements, DOT requirements, permits or traffic studies.DWQ, Army Corp or any other environmental requirements or permits.General permit fees, proffers, water/sewer tap fees and the process of setting taps and connecting.

Since it's possible to leverage money with real estate, I'm using it to boost my investments online.

The depreciation on a year to year basis simply gives you a nice boost because of the time value of money.

I will problem be creating a custom Wordpress website myself or through boostly service. 

Skylights in a bathroom are unnecessary and just a problem waiting to happen...If you have to have them, I'd guess that it's going to cost you about $1200 each to replace...and yes you can get a synthetic product to use for your curbs, something like Azek.

A tactic would be to check the road access and see if they need more curb cuts or median changes or a dedicated turn lane or whatever and get that built into the zoning change (i.e. for the zoning to change, builder must perform all of this new roadwork) -- this is a "compromise" - the neighborhood agreeing to the development if they mitigate issues, but it could put the cost high enough to make the return unacceptable.